Center for Lost Objects is a vintage gift shop and art studio located at 957 W. 7th Street (Center For Lost Objects). It is a sight to behold to walk into the shop. It’s clear that artist Amy Buchanan has put her whole self into the space, curating vintage pieces and other oddities, and also showcasing her own collection of work. The shop is currently closed for ceiling repairs but will be back open March 8, 2025.
How long have you lived / operated your business in the W. 7th neighborhood?
We have been here for eight years.
What brought your business to the West 7th Neighborhood?
I was familiar with the area because I take my dog to Crosby Farm Park, and I knew the neighborhood somewhat because I had lived above Cosettas (211 7th St W) in the 1980s. But it was more of a destination for events downtown. This time, I drove through the neighborhood and thought…this is the new Northeast [Minneapolis]. I saw an article in City Pages about Craig Cohen and reached out to learn more about what was going into Keg and Case and if there were retail opportunities. The Bearded Mermaid space had recently opened, so he directed me there. At the time, the rent was affordable.
What is something your business does that you are really proud of?
Still alive after eight years! My studio is in the store. I feel accomplished that it is an antique and vintage store where I get to make things. I like to invent or develop products that I can make over and over that sell. The Rolling Stones probably get tired of singing Start Me Up, but they get paid well to do it. I’m also a musician, and like a musician, I am always looking for that thing that really hits. The stuff I’m really proud of right now is my embroidered furniture, which I reupholster with embroidered fabric, onto secondhand or vintage furniture, particularly benches. There is a metal-framed bench from Target that works really well, so I’m always hunting Marketplace for those. I got a fancy computerized embroidery machine that does incredibly detailed work, which I not only put onto furniture, but also apparel.
On February 13, our ceiling collapsed in part of the store, and we’ve been closed. I’m making new jewelry and sculptures out of broken, vintage jewelry, as well as new embroidery designs to keep things moving while I can’t use the shop. It’s really hard on an artist and business owner to have work interrupted - it’s been a frustrating few weeks. We had reported to the owner and building manager that the ceiling seemed to be falling in, but by the time they did something about it a week later, it collapsed onto a worker, covering the store with stucco rubble and dust. It’s a big mess that will need to be cleaned up when they finish the ceiling work.
What do you love about owning a business in the neighborhood?
I love the neighborhood. I’ve developed so many friendships here, including Jerry and Mimi Rothstein (Mimi passed on March 21, 2024) and other folks who are older, more experienced, and willing to share their wisdom. My friend moved to the neighborhood and opened The White Squirrel (974 7th Street, October 2024 Spotlight). I got to know Jarret and Dani Oulman performing with Le Cirque Rouge Cabaret & Burlesque Show, at The 331 Club, where we played for many years. I like the working class and creatives here, which is similar to NE. The business community really came together when the riots happened [after the murder of George Floyd]. It was a beautiful thing to see everyone band together to protect the businesses in the neighborhood.
What makes you stay?
I have too much invested, too much to move and I love what I do here. I feel like I have gone to an outpost sometimes, and it can be a struggle to get people to come to St. Paul. I considered leaving because the rent is difficult to afford but, Feb.1st we changed our format a little to become more of an antiques mall, with other vendors selling in their own spaces - that helped with the overhead a lot. I’m always optimistic about the future of Keg and Case. I love this community.
What is your favorite Parks and Rec or Regional Park Area?
Still go off the trails at Crosby. I have a new dog since we opened, Sunny. She is our shop dog. She is a beagle/border collie. She can smell fear—I swear she knows when there is someone in the shop that I’m uneasy with and comes up.
What’s a point of interest in West 7th that you are sure to share with visitors?
Cosetta’s Market (211 W. 7th St). Downtown, I love Heimie’s Haberdashery (400 St. Peter St.) and Meritage (410 St. Peter St.).
How do you show up for your community?
I try to support other businesses and artists, and pump up the neighborhood. I love watching the little kids that came when we opened, come in as adults. Coming into an antique store is educational, people lose themselves, people laugh. I love when kids come in and get so excited they want to touch everything - which is frightening for an antique store owner. But, I tell them, “touching is asking a question with your hands. Use your voice to ask —and I’ll answer all your questions!” That makes it fun!
Who should we talk to next?
Daily Dose Retro ( 953 7th St W)
In my conversation with Amy, I realized how important it is to support our local artists. It is easy to treat Amy’s shop and neighborhood open studios like museums to explore. But if we want them to stay, we need to invest in them. Right now, Center for Lost Objects is closed, and already slim margins are critical. If you’d like to help Amy, you can shop her online collection Collections – Center For Lost Objects or offer some financial support to help her through this unforeseen situation (which might have been avoided if maintenance had responded the first time she reported the issue) Fundraiser for Amy Buchanan by Christina Ekholm : Keep The Center For Lost Objects Alive.
Area III Coordinator Tanya Beck connected with the folks of A-Side Public House and Station 10 event space, owned by Travis Temke. We chatted with Station 10 Venue and Events Manager, Ellie Olson. A-Side Public House is a 135-seat and coffee shop restaurant (general manager, Nicole Karels), and Station 10 is a 5,000 sq ft event space, they both located at 754 Randolph Ave. The beautifully restored 1885 Station 10 firehouse originally served a rapidly growing residential area before the arrival of watermains. It is also notable for its historical role in the integration of Black firefighters after the disbandment of the African American company in 1942.
How long have you been in business in the West 7th neighborhood?
A-Side opened in 2021, and Station 10 followed a year behind opening in 2022. The building took about 2 years to renovate.
What brought your business to the West 7th Neighborhood?
The historic preservation of the fire station was an important part of the location choice. After the new SPFD Fire Station 1 was opened at 1000 W. 7th in 2010, the Fire Station 10 space on Randolph continued to serve SPFD as a storage and training space from 2010-2017 when the 1885 building became available for development. Even now, the Local 21 Firefighters hold regular meetings at the building. It’s been interesting for them to see the rehabilitated space having used the space before the work was done.
How long has A-Side been in business?
A-Side was a new when it opened at its current location, but Travis and staff have a wealth of experience in restaurant and brewery management and ownership.
What is something your business does that you are really proud of?
Our Chef- driven farm to table, seasonal menu. The menu changes depending on what is available. Q is the driving chef.
What do you love about owning a business in the West 7th Neighborhood?
We love how “neighborhoodie” it is here. We appreciate the camaraderie of the neighbors among each other, but also we feel like we can connect with neighbors, too. Do you have a favorite item you sell or make? I like that offerings depend on the seasons. We have great burgers and the shawarma bowl is excellent (Tanya can attest to this!). Our coffees are handcrafted, too- fresh ground coffee made to order and with some unique options. Currently, noix de chocolate is on the menu. We also have local craft beer from Venn, Rise, and West 7th’s own, Bad Weather (414 W. 7th St).
How do you show up for your community?
We have supported the St. Paul Firefighters efforts with operation warm, we did a fundraising event and coat drive for Joseph’s Coat (1107 W. 7th St) and we have donated space for community use including for the Fort Road Federation’s monthly meetings.
What is something the West 7th neighbors may not know about your business?
This station housed the veterinary hospital for the SPFD horses that pulled the water carriages. There was a stable in the back.
Who should we talk to next?
The secondhand shops up on 7th are great – Center for Lost Objects (957 W. 7th St).
A-Side Public House is located at 754 Randolph Avenue, St. Paul P: 651-756-1351.
You can learn more at asidepublichouse.com or connect with them @asidepublichouse on IG.
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